All drugs with addictive qualities pose a danger but prescription drugs have an insidious side that can make a legally obtained drug a long term danger to its user. Just as with other drug and substance addictions, legal or prescription drugs may have life altering and even deadly consequences.

Drug abuse is not defined by a line between legal and illicit drugs. Prescription drugs like Oxycontin, Percoset, Morphine, Demerol, Vicodin, Codeine, Percodan, Valium, Librium, Xanax, Adderall, Ritalin are just some of the prescription drugs people have found to be highly addictive.

There are three main classifications of prescription drugs most often found to be addictive and abused. All addictions to prescription medicines are treatable. The Action Recovery Group of Ogden, Utah treats sufferers form additions to prescription drugs of all types. Call the Action Recovery Group today for free consultation at (801)475-HOPE.

Types of Prescription Drugs

The three classes of prescription drugs often falling into the category of abuse, misuse, and addiction are:

Opioids – Those drugs most often prescribed to treat pain such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine

Central Nervous System depressants to treating anxiety and other disorders such as Xanax and Valium

Stimulants used to treat attention deficit and other disorders such as Adderall and Ritalin

Opioids

An opioid is any medication that resembles morphine or opiates in their chemical or pharmacological effects.Opioids relieve pain. Opioids bind the opioid receptors in the central nervous system and through the gastrointestinal tract.Opioids are synthetic medications derived from the same poppy flower seed as natural occurring opiates known as morphine and heroin.

Opiates have been used for sedation and pain killing purposes for centuries.The opioid drugs derived from the opiate producing poppy also may be used to relieve coughs and diarrhea.

Although the drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycodone when prescribed by dose can be considered safe when used following a medical professional’s regime, they can become addictive over time or used in higher doses.Some of the brand names often used in prescribed doses include:

Oxycontin (oxycodone)

Vicodin(hydrocodone)

Demerol (meperidine)

Dilaudid (hydromorphone)

Ultram (tramadol)

The prescribed drugs can create a sense of relaxation and euphoria followed by extreme drowsiness and lethargy and tolerance.Opioids then may create opioid dependence.Withdrawal symptoms follow dependence and may require professional intervention such as a drug rehab center.

From the government website www.drugabuse.gov we read:

“Opioids act by attaching to specific proteins called opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract, and other organs in the body. When these drugs attach to their receptors, they reduce the perception of pain. Opioids can also produce drowsiness, mental confusion, nausea, constipation, and, depending upon the amount of drug taken, can depress respiration. Some people experience a euphoric response to opioid medications, since these drugs also affect the brain regions involved in reward. Those who abuse opioids may seek to intensify their experience by taking the drug in ways other than those prescribed. For example, OxyContin is an oral medication used to treat moderate to severe pain through a slow, steady release of the opioid. People who abuse OxyContin may snort or inject it2 thereby increasing their risk for serious medical complications, including overdose.”

Often referred to as tranquilizers and sedatives the central nervous system depressants such as prescription drugs brandsValium, Librium, and Xanax are included with the family of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They may cause a calm or even extreme drowsy feeling. People under their influence often may act uninterested or out-of-touch; sometimes referred to a “zoning out.” Overuse may lead to addiction but also an accidental overdose is not uncommon leading to respiratory failure and even death.

Some of the central nervous system (CNS) type drugs well known by prescription brand name include:

Xanax

Valium

Librium

Klonopin

From the website www.drugabuse.gov we read:

“Most CNS depressants act on the brain by affecting the neurotransmitter gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that facilitate communication between brain cells. Although the different classes of CNS depressants work in unique ways, it is through their ability to increase GABA—and thereby inhibit brain activity—that they produce a drowsy or calming effect beneficial to those suffering from anxiety or sleep disorders.”

Stimulant medications provide users with a more alert energetic effect. Many of these drugs are used to care for people suffering from what is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and clinical depression. The family of stimulants often prescribed for these ailments include Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin, and Concerta. The prescription drugs can cause an euphoric effect and sense of well being.

One of the major side effects requiring great caution and concern is increased blood pressure and heart rate which taking larger doses can cause. Over time such high dosing could result in heart failure and even death.

Dangers, Addiction, and Withdrawal

Opioid and central nervous system depressants may lead to drug addiction and death. Prescription drug addiction may lead to addictions to harder drugs such as morphine and heroin. The euphoric effect begins to diminish over time requiring heavier doses and building a tolerance. Withdrawal effects cause an addicted user to seek more in quantity of the same or other drugs related to the opioid family of prescription drugs.

It is not uncommon for addicted persons to “shop prescriptions” and even resort to theft in search of their next hit.

Some of the dangers and withdrawal effects include:

Agitation and anger

Lethargy and fatigue

Sleeplessness and insomnia

Severe headaches

Nausea and vomiting

Respiratory failure

Seizure and stroke

Cardiac Arrest and heart failure

High blood pressure

Cardiovascular health problems

Growing Trends in Addiction

Prescription drug addiction and abuse is major concern among medical professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners prescribing opioid, central nervous system and stimulant drugs for the pharmacological purposes and benefits they may produce.Addiction and increased death rates are alarming professionals across the board. Many prescription drug users may add fuel to the fire by consuming alcohol while taking these drugs. This clearly exacerbates the conditions being treated professionally and consequently the desired results. Becoming addicted to prescription drugs knows no age or ethic boundary or barrier. Prescription drug taking can be an insidious pathway to addiction starting out quite innocently as a treatment.

The Action Recovery Group alcohol and drug addiction treatment program can help addicted individuals overcome prescription drug dependency. With caring compassionate staff and dedicated medical professionals, inpatient and outpatient treatment may result in freedom from addiction.Drug rehab does become necessary when all else fails, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of.

If you or your loved one is in need of treatment for prescription drug addiction, the Action Recovery Group alcohol and drug rehab center is the best choice. We are dedicated at providing successful recovery for those who truly seek it. If you would like more information about our addiction treatment facility, please call us at 801-475-HOPE.